Enjoy family-friendly fun throughout the county all weekend long, with events from Ben Lomond and Scotts Valley to Capitola Village and Watsonville.
Headliners include Foghat at the Boardwalk, the Hop N’ Barley Festival, and Art & Music at the Beach.
Also worth checking out are Wacky Water Day, a free outdoor movie night, a people’s choice music concert, and the awesome combo of food trucks and swing dancing.
See our picks for the top events each day this weekend:
Friday
Free Movie at Highlands Park
When: 7/12 Movie starts at dusk around 8:45 pm
Where: Highlands County Park
Cost: Free
Free family fun watching Incredibles 2 under the stars! Gather the kiddos, bring your friends and don’t forget to pack your favorite blanket or chair. Come early to enjoy the playground, picnic areas and other park amenities.
Foghat
When: 7/12 at 6:30pm & 8:30pm
Where: Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
Cost: Free
The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk FREE Friday Night Bands on the Beach series continues with 1970s classic rock band Foghat. You’ll be singing along with hits such as Slow Ride and Fool for the City. Two showings to kick your weekend off with a rocking start!
Food Truck Friday & Swing!
When: 7/12 from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Where: Skypark
Cost: Free
Dance into the weekend with food trucks and swing dance lessons from the dancers of Swing Set Lounge followed by live music and dancing from Speakeasy 3. A variety of food trucks will be offering their fare. Beer/Wine Garden fundraiser will benefit the Scotts Valley Education Fund.
NIGHT MARKET
When: 7/12 from 4:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Where: Santa Cruz Food Lounge
Cost: No Cover charge
In summer and fall, the second Friday of the month means Night Market at the Santa Cruz Food Lounge. An evening of local food from a lineup of vendors, craft cocktails and live music await you for a relaxing start to your weekend.
Also on Friday
MUSIC/DANCE
THEATER/ARTS
MAKE/CRAFT
OUTDOORS
MORE
Saturday
The Hop N’ Barley Festival
When: 7/13 Gates 10:00 am, Beer 12:00 pm-4:30 pm, Music 12:00 pm-5:00 pm
Where: Skypark
Cost: $5.00 – $45.00
Bring your entire family, including your dog! The Hop N’ Barley festival is celebrating it’s 10th year and you’re invited. Enjoy craft beer from all over California with many local breweries on scene. This is a family-friendly event with delicious food, live music and much more.
Wacky Water Day
When: 7/13 from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm
Where: Louden Nelson Community Center
Cost: Free
Nothing says summer fun like good old-fashioned water games with the family! Come out for a full day of waterplay with an inflatable water slide, dunk tank and much more. Don’t forget your sunscreen and towels!
Agricultural History Project – 2nd Saturday on the Farm
When: 7/13 from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm
Where: Agricultural History Project Center and Museum
Cost: Free
Come on out for a day on the farm! This event is held each month with a theme about one area of agriculture. The focus this month will be on safe summer fun on the farm. Kids will have a blast with wooden cow milking, tractor simulator, puppet theater and a kid-driven tractor!
SANTA CRUZ LIVE: A DAY OF MUSIC AT THE MAH
When: 7/13 from 3:00 pm to 10:00 pm
Where: Santa Cruz Museum of Art and History & Abbott Square
Cost: $15 General | $5 Members & Children under 5
Head to the MAH for an afternoon of live music from some of our very own top local bands performing at the museum and Abbott Square. Hands-on activities and interactive sound exhibits will be available throughout the museum for your enjoyment!
Also on Saturday
MUSIC/DANCE
THEATER/ARTS
MAKE/CRAFT
OUTDOORS
Sunday
SUNDAY ART & MUSIC AT THE BEACH
When: 7/14 from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm, Music 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Where: Esplanade Park, Capitola Village
Cost: Free
Live music on stage, displays of work by local artists along with the sand, sun and sea. What a perfect way to top off your weekend! Head on down to Capitola Village for an afternoon of art and music at this Sunday summer series.
Also on Sunday
MUSIC/DANCE
THEATER/ARTS
OUTDOORS
MORE
Upcoming Events You Don’t Want to Miss
4th Annual Farm to Fork
When: Saturday, August 3, from 5:30 pm to 10:00 pm
Where: La Selva Beach Clubhouse
Cost: $125
Delicious locally-sourced food and wine will be served at this fundraiser to benefit children, families, and seniors in our community. Enjoy a fabulously prepared dinner, drink Central Coast wines and listen to live music while mingling with fellow community members, all for a great cause!
27th Annual Aloha Outrigger Races and Polynesian Festival
When: Sunday, August 18, from 11:00 am – 5:00 pm
Where: Santa Cruz Wharf
Cost: Free
Start your day by cheering on the festive outrigger racers as they sprint toward the finish line (9:00 am -12:00 pm). Then stroll down the wharf for Hawaiian and Polynesian crafts, dance, music, food and more. Sponsored by the City of Santa Cruz Parks and Recreation department and Pu Pu O’Hawaii Outrigger Canoe Club.
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